Washi Tape & Best of Butterflies

Did you see the last card I posted with this Best of Butterflies stamp set? (go ahead, flip back to Saturday, I will wait). Well, I was actually making two of the cards for thank you notes. But then as I started to assemble the second one, I felt I had to change it a little. If you have been following this blog, you know what happened next. I thought I would run a ribbon behind the little square that was in the center of the card, I could even see it in my head(the Calypso Coral ribbon from Sale-A-Bration).  As I went to get the ribbon I glanced at my This and That Smashbook bundle and wahoo!!!  Do you see that Washi tape??? It was even better than ribbon! Of course, once I put it on the card, there was no way I could cover it up with the square and butterfly. So I punched out a few more Elegant Butterflies and scattered them about.

Here is another photo of the Washi Tape that comes with the This and That Bundle. 

 

 Here is what you get in the bundle. 

 

 

 

You can also order the pieces individually.  You can shop my site at any time www.HilarySmith.StampinUp.net

Bloomin' Bouquet Project Kit

 

Don't you just love this flower arrangement? Stampin' Up! is offering this cute kit to make your own flower bouquet. The kit includes: 

• 2 sheets of preprinted and precut flowers on 12" X 12" cardstock; makes 13 flowers using Pool  Party, Gumball Green, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, and Rich Razzleberry
• 13 Vintage Faceted Buttons
• 13 green floral wire stems

Adhesive not included. (Glue gun recommended.)

The kit will be available today (Item 134542 $12.95). There are limited quantities, so if you like it, don't delay in ordering! This would be great for mother's day, teacher gifts, or as a gift still in kit form for the other crafters in your life!  Shop 24/7 www.HilarySmith.StampinUp.net

Best of Butterflies

Did you see the April release for the Best of series?  Yes, a whole set of just butterflies.  It is wonderful. Here is my first card from the set.  I teamed it with Calypso Coral. I seemed to be so thrilled they are keeping the color that I keep going back to it for my cards.  The butterfly stamp used here also coordinates with the Elegant Butterfly punch so it makes things quick and easy for card making.  The card is finished with the words from the Curly Cute stamp set. This set is being discontinued June 3, so you should grab it now while you can! It is one of my favorites actually because it has all the basic greetings. 

Here is the set Best of Butterflies if you missed it.  It is item 133345 and priced at only $14.95. With the Best of series, if you buy six sets you will earn a free one of your choice in the Best of collection. With twenty-five years of stamps, they have some wonderful choices! I can't wait to see what they will come up with for the rest of the months this year. 

 

If you want to see more of this series, you can follow the link at http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryid=1226

Shadow Swallowtail

This is very similar to yesterday's card - yes, I know!  I was playing with coloring the Swallowtail stamp in, just experimenting with colors. This one was colored with Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder and Island Indigo.  After coloring it in, I knew that I wanted it on the Wisteria Wonder background, but it was not complete. Then instantly I could see a shadow! Yes, that is how it happens in my brain, not sure how it works for you. I traced the butterfly on to Basic Black card stock and made the cutout the bottom layer. Then using Stampin' Up Dimensionals, it popped the Swallowtail off the page.  I hope you enjoy this one - though it is just a single stamp, I am still experimenting with all the ways to use it. 

Simple Swallowtail

Here is another version of the Swallowtail Stamp from the Spring Catalog. Though they can stand alone just stamped, I have seen some beautiful colored versions of the stamp too. Of course, I had to try it too.  To have a blended look with smudged lines and coloring, use your Sponge Daubers to add some color.  Here I could blend from lighter blues like Pool Party and end up with Island Indigo on the wing edges.  The daubers really give you the ability to control the color level.  The words are from the Especially For You stamp set. 

Have you tried the Sponge Daubers yet? I love them for adding edging to a card, shadowing, and yes, coloring in stamps.  They fit right on the end of your finger for easy use. They are only $10.95 for a package of 12, Item 102892. 

Don't forget that you can shop my website 24/7 www.HilarySmith.StampinUp.net

Get them now!!! Here's the Retired List

 

 

Time to do a little shopping!!!  Find out all about the retiring products this year, when they are gone they are gone! So drop what you are doing and start scooping them up. Follow the link to shop now.

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/hilarysmith/promotions

Secret Garden stacked

With this card I was experimenting with stamping on Vellum for a stained glass effect.  This was my first sample and I think I need to do a little more playing with it. However, since I wasn't going to throw away the flowers, here they are!  The flower are from the Secret Garden set, and fortunately, there are framelits for that set. So just a quick run through the BigShot and the flowers were cut out as well.  I colored them in with the Stampin' Up Markers. Colors are Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral and Baja Breeze.  The words are from the Especially For You stamp set. 

Get Well Calypso Coral

Here is a super simple, but super cute get well card. The card is cased from one that I brought home from the Leadership Conference in January. Here I have combined Crumb Cake and Calypso Coral cardstock. I added the layer of Calypso Coral Designer Series paper because I loved the polka dot pattern combined with the Perfect Polka Dot Embossing on the band aid.  I used the Small Heart Punch in the center.  The sentiment comes from the Curly Cute stamp set. 

Have you heard Stampin' Up! is keeping Calypso Coral and a few other "In Color" colors this year? There will be a lot of information to keep up with, so make sure you check my blog often so you don't miss anything.  There are usually a lot of announcements regarding the new catalog so stay tuned!

April Paper Pumkins!

Have you signed up for Paper Pumpkins yet?  This is the surprise card this month.  You get enough to make four cards. Everything you need is in the box including pre-cut papers, stamps, ink, twine and buttons. You just need adhesive to put your cards together. If you sign up with me listed as your demonstrator, you will be invited to join a free class each month just for Paper Pumpkin participants. So even though you may have missed this month, there is time to jump on board for next month's kit! Sign up today at  www.MyPaperPumpkin.com

Creative Elements

This was one of those accidental cards that I end up loving.  I still had the Calypso Coral on my desk from the last card. I thought I would experiment with blocking off the strip in the middle and using my Sponge Dauber to add some color. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it then. And then I saw my Creative Elements set and HAD to use that flower. The words come from the Bring On the Cake stamp set.  The card layers are Whisper White, Calypso Coral, and Crumb Cake card stock. The card is finished by using the Natural 7/16" Trim Ribbon from the Spring Catalog. 

Do you are ever feel stuck making a card, not feeling creative? Just start playing with your papers, inks and stamps. Experiment a little and see what happens, you just might love the result.